Problem: For those of us that use a Luton Bed, know only to well that the ladder that comes with the vehicle is not really suitable for adults. I know that they are nice and light, and of course easy to put up. But when you have a couple of years on ya, those little steps can sure hurt your feet. I think also that it is not very safe, especially if you have to come down in a hurry, you know for that middle of the night tinkle or for what ever other reason. My wife also has issues with rheumatoid arthritis and effects her feet especially in the mornings. Coming down those pesky little aluminium steps can sure hurt.
Process: This is a fairly simple and easy fix. Make your own ladder. So of to Bunnings and get some pine boards. Some nice carpet, to place on the rungs, so that: a) your feet will have something nice and soft to step on and b) it is also non slip. The ladder I made took a couple of hours, and a day to put on couple coats of paint and hey presto, you have a nice safe broad step ladder that is just a shear joy to use. To make the ladder and get the angles for the rungs correct, all I did was use a sliding bevel. Once I got the angles right, I just duplicated to the pine boards and set to cutting the grooves out for the step boards with a router. Simples As! Once all routed out, steps cut, it was just a matter of glue and screw. Glue on carpet and then paint. The fixings of the ladder to clip in on the bed, was removed from original and then screwed on to the ladder I made. I also made a nice little top step that protrudes out wider than the ladder, giving you something quite substantial to hold on to. Have a look at the pics below and I am sure you will see how easy it will be to duplicate , and impress your partner.